Fun foods

The place I just started working for gained The National Wildlife Federation as a client recently so I was checking their website to see if they had any magazines or anything else Damien might like. I came across these recipes when looking at their toddler magazine, Wild Animal Baby. I thought they were cute and some of you might be interested in making them for or with your kiddos. :)What you will need:* uncooked jumbo pasta shell* large meatball, prepared and cooked to your preference* carrot* black olive* green vegetable (optional)* your favorite pasta accompaniment (optional)

What you do:1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Cool the pasta enough to handle.2. Carefully place a meatball inside the shell. Arrange the shell so that the opening is facing to the side. You may want to stabilize it with a layer of greens.3. Wash and peel a medium-large carrot. Slicing diagonally, cut a few slices from the middle of the carrot. Save the unused portions for another meal.4. Cut a small triangle out of the end of one of the slices. Repeat with a second slice. These will be the crab's front pincer legs.5. Trim the remaining slices to make four thin legs. Arrange the six legs around the meatball as shown in the photo.6. To make eyes, cut two small pieces from an olive and arrange them on the meatball.7. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce.

What you do:1. Place the pear, skin-side up, in the middle of the plate.2. Use a small amount of cream cheese to stick on two raisins for the eyes, and one raisin for the nose.3. Cut one baby carrot lengthwise to make the ears. Use cream cheese to stick on the ears as shown.4. Add a tablespoon of cream cheese for a "cottontail." Happy nibbling!

What you do:1. Set aside about a teaspoon of the cream cheese. Stuff the inside of the celery stalk with the remaining cream cheese.2. Insert one row of raisins and two rows of sunflower seeds or peanuts into the stuffed cream cheese as shown. You can also substitute your other favorite pieces from the trail mix.3. Use the leftover cream cheese to stick two rows of almond legs onto the bottom of the celery stalk.4. Cut the radish in half. Attach one half to the end of the celery stalk using a bit of cream cheese. Add two nuts or raisins for the eyes.5. Crunch away!

What you do:1. Mix first four ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Boil for two minutes, stirring constantly.2. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and oats. Mix well. Allow to cool a bit so your child won't get burned while making the paws, but batter should still be warm when you go to Step 3.3. To make a paw, drop a tablespoon of batter onto wax paper. Press five almond slivers into one side of the paw to make the claws. Allow to cool completely before digging in.